How to Do the Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift
The kettlebell suitcase deadlift lifts one bell from beside your foot, like picking up a suitcase. It trains your glutes and hamstrings, and your obliques have to stop your torso from tipping toward the bell. It is a good bridge between basic deadlifts and loaded carries.
Log every set of your Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift in Superlift
Muscles worked
Primary
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
Secondary
- Abs
- Obliques
- Forearms
How to do the Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift
- 1
Stand with feet hip-width apart and the kettlebell outside one foot, in line with the middle of your foot.
- 2
Hinge your hips back and bend your knees to reach the handle.
- 3
Grip the handle, pull your shoulders down and keep your spine neutral.
- 4
Brace, then push the floor away and stand up tall.
- 5
Keep your shoulders level and your ribs over your hips at the top.
- 6
Lower the bell by hinging back until it touches the floor.
- 7
Finish your reps and switch sides.
Form cues to remember
- Shoulders stay level
- Push the floor away
- Squeeze glutes at the top
- Stay tall, don't lean
Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift video tutorial
Common mistakes
Leaning away from the bell
Brace your obliques and stand straight; reduce the weight if you tip.
Rounding your back
Hinge from your hips and keep your chest proud as you grab the handle.
Shrugging the loaded shoulder
Pull your shoulder blade down and keep both shoulders level.
Letting the bell swing in front of you
Keep it directly beside your leg for the whole rep.
Sets and reps
| Strength | 3–5 sets of 5–8 reps per side, 2 min rest |
|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 3 sets of 8–12 reps per side, 90 seconds rest |
Keep your back neutral and avoid yanking the bell off the floor; a rounded spine under load can irritate your lower back. If you have back pain, lighten the load or raise the bell on a block.
Superlift for iPhone
Track your Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift and watch it go up
Superlift shows what you lifted last time, times your rest, and charts your strength week by week, so you always know what to beat. Every exercise in this library is built in, with the same demos and tutorials.
Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift FAQ
Is the suitcase deadlift better than a regular deadlift?
Not better, but different. Loading one side adds an anti-lean core challenge, while a barbell deadlift lets you go much heavier.
Where should the kettlebell be placed for a suitcase deadlift?
Place it beside your foot, with the handle in line with the middle of your foot. If it is too far forward or behind, you will lean.
What muscles does the suitcase deadlift work?
Your glutes and hamstrings do the lifting, while your obliques, abs and grip work to stop you from tipping toward the bell.
